“Hell no.”
“The way today’s climate is, the government, the education system, and these crazy ass kids running around like little killing machines, . . . that’s a no for me. That doesn’t mean that I don’t want someone to cuddle with, have sex with, and great conversation over a shared meal and drinks. Yes, I do want to eventually share my life with someone, but I don’t want to rush it. I just want to enjoy the road getting there. I don’t have time for heartache and heartbreak. I need me and my person to be on the same page.”
He lifted his glass in the air, and I lifted mine, and we clinked them together. “Say that again, ma’am.”
We smiled, staring into each other’s eyes as we sipped from our glasses.
“Why don’t we make a pact that no matter what suite we have that we come back here in the terminal and have drinks and dinner together tonight? That way neither of us have to be alone,” he suggested.
“I like that,” I declared with a smile. He held his glass up, and I clinked mine against his.
“To beautiful beginnings and new friends,” he declared hopefully.
“I could use a new friend,” I replied suggestively as I took a sip from my glass. Our eyes locked over the rims of our glasses, and I felt the heat surging through me. I wondered what his full, thick lips would feel like caressing my body and pleasuring me in ways that I hadn’t been pleasured in some time.
I fantasized briefly about how his big arms would feel wrapping me up.
“You okay?” he asked as a slow, easy smile slid across his full lips.
“Yeah. Just lost in thought is all.”
He reached inside of his pocket, pulled out a quarter and declared, “I don’t have a penny, but I’d pay a lot more for your thoughts.”
I giggled and shook my head. “I don’t think you want to know my lonely thoughts.”
“Maybe if you shared them, they wouldn’t be so lonely. You don’t have to be either you know. If you just let me in,” he suggested before he pulled his glass to his lips again.
“Why do I get the feeling we’re no longer talking about my thoughts?”
He winked. “Depends on what type of thoughts you’re having. If they’re mirroring mine, we could definitely be talking about your thoughts.”
I pressed a hand against the back of my neck and glanced outside at the snow that was still coming down hard, thick, and fast, and I felt warmth grow up my face. I would love for something else to come hard, thick, and fast. I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped my lips.
“Now Ihaveto know what you’re thinking.”
“I think that we should create a memorable experience tonight that will allow us to forget the pain our exes caused us, even if just for one night. Even if we never see one another again, this Valentine’s Day can be as beautiful as we’d like it to be.”
He reached out and caressed my thumb. “I agree. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Happy Valentine’s to you too.”
“Ms. Bellacorte, we have your suite available,” an attendant announced, interrupting our conversation.
5
NYAKO – HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
“Thank you.” I stood and grabbed my carry-on bag. “Meet you back here at a quarter ’til midnight?”
“Do we have to wait that long?” he asked.
“A girl’s got to get her beauty rest.”
“You’re already beautiful, even without the makeup.”
“You are a smooth talker, Mr. Prather. Just get ready for me.”
He turned his gaze to the attendant, and I walked to the door to wait for her to take me to my suite.
